Collaborative Communication Methods

I've coached 400+ CEOs. The best ones don't communicate better. They communicate differently. While average leaders wing it, great ones use proven methods that turn conversations into opportunities. After 20+ years studying top performers, I've identified 7 communication systems that separate good from great. (Save this. You'll need it for your next big meeting.) 1. The 3 Levels of Listening Stop listening to reply. Start listening to understand. Level 1: You're thinking about your response Level 2: You're focused on their words Level 3: You're reading the room—energy, tone, silence One CEO used this to uncover why his top performer was really leaving. Saved a $10M account. 2. What? So What? Now What? Transform rambling updates into decisive action. What = The facts (30 seconds max) So What = Why it matters to the business Now What = The specific decision needed Cut meeting time by 40%. 3. PREP Method Never fumble another investor question. Point: Your answer in one sentence Reason: Why you believe it Example: Proof from your business Point: Reinforce your answer Practice this for 5 minutes daily. Sound prepared always. 4. RACI Matrix Kill confusion before it starts. Responsible: Who does the work Accountable: Who owns success/failure (only ONE person) Consulted: Who gives input Informed: Who needs updates Projects with clear RACI are 3x more likely to succeed. 5. Story of Self/Us/Now Move hearts, not just minds. Story of Self: Why YOU care (personal conviction) Story of Us: Our shared challenge Story of Now: The urgent choice we face This framework has helped politicians win. It'll help you raise capital or inspire your team to meet a big goal. 6. The Pyramid Principle Get board approval in half the time. Start with your recommendation Give 3 supporting arguments (max) Order by impact (strongest first) Data goes last, not first McKinsey consultants swear by this. So should you. 7. COIN Feedback Model Make tough conversations productive. Context: When and where it happened Observation: What you saw (facts only) Impact: The business consequence Next: Agreed action steps No more avoided conversations. No more resentment. Your next funding round, key hire, or major deal doesn't depend on working harder. It depends on communicating better. Because in the end, leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about asking better questions, listening deeper, and communicating with precision. Your team is waiting for you to lead like this. P.S. Want a PDF of my Leadership Communication Cheat Sheet? Get it free: https://lnkd.in/dbaSN9fJ ♻️ Repost to help a founder level up their communication. Follow Eric Partaker for more leadership tools.

The HEARTS Communication Method: My New Personal Framework for Constructive Communication During my son’s baseball game last weekend (during a very long inning), I started reflecting on how I show up in emotionally charged moments, with my family and at work. I realized I often fall into Drama Triangle (aka Karpman's Triangle), oscillating between feeling like a victim and then (feeling very justified in) becoming a persecutor. I wanted a better way—something constructive and relationship-centered. I ended up creating the HEARTS mnemonic. When I'm in an emotional space, I realize it's not about avoiding communication (which I often did in the past) but equipping myself with the right tools. The HEARTS method is my way of protecting and nurturing the relationships that I care about most, whether at home or work, even when my emotions run high. Here’s how it works: 💙 H: Honor the Relationship I will begin by affirming the relationship's importance. Acknowledge its value to me openly: "Our relationship is really important to me, and I know it is for you too." 🩶 E: Express Emotion State my feelings without blame: "I’m feeling really angry right now." This keeps the conversation authentic and transparent. 💚 A: Articulate Your Observation Describe the facts neutrally: "I noticed that the project deadline we agreed on wasn’t met." This keeps the focus on observable facts rather than assumptions. I could invite the other person to give me feedback on my observation; perhaps I misinterpreted what was happening. 💛 R: Reinforce Shared Value Connect to a core value: "Trust is crucial for us, and missing deadlines affects that trust." This step aligns the conversation with shared principles. It would be great if the other person is given space to agree to disagree that this truly is a shared value. 🩷 T: Take Action Invite collaboration on solutions: "How can we ensure this doesn’t happen again? Let’s align on a plan." This turns the conversation towards constructive steps. (This step explicitly and ideally invites two-way communication) 💗 S: Solidify Conclude by reaffirming commitment: "I’m excited for us to move forward together, aligned with our values and commitments." This reinforces the positive outcome of the discussion. (This step is also ideal with two-way communication) My central insight here is that it’s not about avoiding emotional conversations but approaching them with intention and a practical framework. I love that I now have a simple and easy—to—remember structure that I can leverage when I'm in an emotional space to communicate with the people I care about most. I am sharing it here to help you support your relationships, and would love your feedback to help me improve the model. (Pics of some of my relationships where I want to try the HEARTS model)

Your communication sucks. Mine did too. Stop speaking to be heard. Start speaking to connect. You’re sabotaging your conversations—without even realizing it. The way you speak can either build bridges or burn them. Most of us are unwitting arsonists. In negotiation, this can make or break your outcomes.     The words you choose not only shape perceptions but also influence trust, collaboration, and leverage. Missteps can derail deals, while the right words can create alignment and uncover value.    By the end of this post, you’ll learn a proven framework to ensure your words resonate, not repel. No fluff, just actionable insights for your next critical conversation—and every negotiation that matters. After two decades teaching negotiation, I’ve seen it all—boardrooms blown up over misplaced words and lifelong partnerships salvaged with the right phrasing. Here’s what separates good communicators from the great ones: they don’t just speak; they’re heard. Master the art of being heard with four transformative principles: 1️⃣ 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗱  ↳ Most people want to talk first, listen later.  ↳ Flip the script.  ↳ When you show genuine understanding, others naturally lower their defenses and listen to you. 2️⃣ 𝗨𝘀𝗲 “I” 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀  ↳ Take responsibility for your feelings.  ↳ Replace “you always ignore me” with “I feel unheard when this happens.”  ↳ It’s disarming, not confrontational. 3️⃣ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲  ↳ Borrow wisdom from Jack Kornfield: speak truthfully, kindly, and at the right time.  ↳ A harsh truth, poorly timed, does more harm than good. 4️⃣ 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗼: 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹, 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱, 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘆  ↳ Before you speak, ask:     - Is it useful?     - Is it kind?     - Is it the right time?  ↳ If the answer isn’t yes to all three, pause. Next time you're on the brink of a heated reply, pause and ask yourself: "𝘈𝘮 𝘐 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦?" This simple shift from wanting to win to wanting to connect can transform conflicts into collaborations. Remember, the goal isn't to have the last word—it's to have a meaningful exchange. What’s one phrase you’ve used that instantly diffused tension? Share it in the comments—I’m always learning from you. Want a step-by-step guide to mastering tough conversations? Drop "LISTEN" in the comments, and I’ll send you my go-to framework for free. 

Everyone has their role. But they have to stay in sync. Communication is the difference between cross-functional alignment and costly confusion. Finance, Ops, and RevOps all care about performance, but they often define and track it differently. And if your team spends more time interpreting each other than acting, growth stalls fast and value-creation is impossible. So what does effective communication actually look like in a scaling agency? 1. Create shared language around core concepts How: Agree on standard definitions for key metrics like “forecast,” “margin,” “utilization,” and even “booked vs. billable.” Put these into a shared knowledge base or glossary and refer back regularly in dashboards, meetings, and reporting. Example: You say “utilization is low.” Ops hears “we need to fire someone.” Finance hears “margins are tanking.” Instead, everyone agrees: utilization = total billable hours ÷ total available hours. Now you’re debating numbers, not definitions. 2. Use asynchronous updates for tactical reporting How: Move recurring tactical updates (like forecast roll-ups, budget tracking, pipeline status) into asynchronous formats like Loom videos, Slack threads, or shared dashboards so meetings are reserved for strategy and decisions, not reporting. Example: Instead of spending 30 minutes reviewing pipeline and delivery metrics in your weekly sync, each function posts a Loom walk-through in a shared channel every Monday. Your Tuesday meeting now focuses on what the data means and what to do about it. 3. Make project and pipeline transparency a default, not a request How: Give all three teams access to real-time delivery and pipeline data via shared tools (e.g., HubSpot, ClickUp, Float, Mosaic). Remove permission bottlenecks. Build dashboards that auto-pull from shared sources. Example: RevOps updates a proposal scope. Ops sees it immediately in ClickUp. Finance sees the expected hours in their margin model. No email. No Slack ping. No lag. Everyone acts faster because they’re already in the loop. Great collaboration doesn’t require more meetings. It requires better visibility and shared understanding. Get your communication architecture right, and everything else - forecasting, hiring, pricing, client delivery - gets easier. Clarity Scales. Misalignment Costs.

WHEN TEMPERS FLARE, YOU'RE LOCKED IN A STALEMATE, OR A MULTI MILLION DOLLAR DEAL IS ON THE LINE, EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY TO TURNING IT AROUND. The right communication framework fosters understanding, strengthens relationships, and drives powerful results within your team. Both personally and professionally, effective communication is key to successful teamwork, conflict resolution, and collaboration. From construction to finance, from fashion to family offices, my high performance clients master the skills to navigate the toughest conversations and transform them into their biggest breakthroughs. And here’s how you can do it too: 1. FRAME THE POSITIVE INTENTION: Start with shared goals. Establish a shared purpose to align your conversation positively and maintain the focus on optimal outcomes. ➡️”We both want [a positive, uplifting relationship].” “This is about us being [happier, more productive].” A positive start encourages cooperation and a safe space for communication. 2. DESCRIBE THE OBSERVABLE: Present facts without emotional interpretation. Focus on specific events or behaviors rather than feelings. ➡️ “When [specific event] happened, I saw [specific observation].” Stick to observable facts and avoid personal interpretations to keep the conversation neutral. 3. SHARE THE FEELING: Express your emotions without blame. Own your feelings without blaming others, and invite the other person to share theirs. ➡️“We both feel [emotion].” “I feel [emotion] about [situation].” Take ownership of your feelings. Express them without pointing fingers and encourage others to do the same. 4. REQUEST THEIR PERSPECTIVE: Invite input and collaboration. Ask for the other person’s perspective to gain insight into their viewpoint. ➡️“How did you see that?” “What did you observe?” Listen actively and be open to hearing the other person’s thoughts, fostering mutual understanding. 5. MAKE THE ASK WITH BENEFIT EXTENSIONS Propose mutually beneficial solutions: Offer choices that meet both parties' needs. ➡️ “If [action] occurs, we would feel [emotion] and [emotion].” “Here are two options that work for me…” Present two acceptable options to empower the other person to contribute to the solution. 6. WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD A CONSENSUS Collaborate on finding the best solution: Work together to determine the best course of action and express appreciation when a decision is made. ➡️ “I appreciate the thought you’ve put into this. I’m glad we agreed on [decision].” By applying my effective communication framework, you foster open, respectful communication that builds trust, enhances collaboration, and contributes to team success. And the great news is that you can use this both personally and professionally! I’m curious… ~When was a time that you needed this framework in your life? #future #communication #success

"We've all been there - a conversation spiraling into defensiveness, hurt feelings, and unresolved tension. What if communication could be a bridge instead of a battlefield?" In a world often marked by conflict and misunderstanding, the way we communicate can either deepen divides or build bridges. Nonviolent Communication (NVC), developed by Marshall Rosenberg, offers a transformative approach to fostering empathy, understanding, and collaboration.  Nonviolent Communication is a communication framework designed to reduce conflict by promoting empathy and mutual understanding. It focuses on expressing oneself honestly while listening to others with compassion. The process revolves around four core components: 👁️Observation: Describing situations without judgment or evaluation. 🤗Feelings: Identifying and expressing emotions authentically. 📝Needs: Recognizing universal human needs behind emotions. 🙏Requests: Making clear, actionable requests rather than demands ✅Why Nonviolent Communication Matters Enhances Collaboration: By focusing on shared needs, NVC fosters teamwork and reduces workplace tensions. Builds Emotional Intelligence: Encourages self-awareness and empathy, key traits for effective leadership. Resolves Conflicts: Provides tools to address disagreements constructively without blame or defensiveness. ✅Here’s how you can integrate NVC into your professional and personal life: 👁️Observation Without Judgment: Instead of saying, "You're always late," try, "I noticed you arrived 30 minutes after the scheduled time." This avoids triggering defensiveness. 🗣️Expressing Feelings Clearly: Replace "You frustrate me" with "I feel anxious when deadlines are missed because I value timely progress". 🤗Identifying Needs: Shift from "You never listen to me" to "I need to feel heard and understood during our discussions". 📝Making Requests: Frame requests positively, such as "Could we schedule a weekly check-in to align on priorities?" instead of issuing vague demands. Tips for Mastering Nonviolent Communication Practice Active Listening: Focus on understanding the speaker’s feelings and needs before responding. Use “I” Statements: Speak from your perspective to avoid sounding accusatory. Empathize Before Reacting: Acknowledge the other person’s emotions even if you disagree with their perspective. Conclusion Nonviolent Communication is more than just a technique—it’s a mindset that fosters deeper connections and mutual respect. By embracing its principles, we can transform our interactions into opportunities for growth and collaboration. Whether in the workplace or at home, NVC empowers us to communicate with clarity, compassion, and purpose. Let’s start a conversation about how empathy can reshape the way we connect with others. Video courtesy Facebook 🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚 Dr Simmi Roy Mishra. Physician, PCC-ICF Mindset Coach.  I offer curated life coaching programs to women in all ages and phases of life

Better Disagreements (It's a daily practice, not a grand achievement) Avoiding conflict doesn't create harmony. But learning to disagree well? That changes everything. Small shifts in how we disagree make a real difference. Here are 10 gentle approaches that build bridges: 1. The "And" Bridge ➟ Replace "but" with "and" ➟ "I hear you, and here's another perspective" 💡 This simple switch turns opposition into collaboration 2. The Curiosity Approach ➟ Ask to understand more deeply ➟ "Help me see how you got there" 💡 Questions open doors that arguments can't 3. The Common Ground Start ➟ Find shared values first ➟ "We both want what's best for the team" 💡 Starting with agreement makes differences feel smaller 4. The Appreciation Method ➟ Notice what works before adding more ➟ "I like your focus here. What about this angle?" 💡 Recognition before suggestion builds trust 5. The Reflection Practice ➟ Mirror back what you hear ➟ "It sounds like this matters deeply to you" 💡 Being heard makes people more willing to listen 6. The Calm Pause ➟ Take a breath before responding ➟ Create space between thought and speech 💡 A moment's pause can prevent hours of regret 7. The Side-by-Side Stance ➟ Examine ideas together ➟ "Let's look at this from all angles" 💡 Partnership feels better than opposition 8. The History Helper ➟ Remember past solutions ➟ "We've figured things out before" 💡 Past success predicts future possibility 9. The Always Available ➟ Keep communication open ➟ "I'm here to talk, even when we differ" 💡 Consistent presence builds lasting trust 10. The Humble Heart ➟ Admit your uncertainty ➟ "I might not have the full picture" 💡 Vulnerability invites deeper connection Start with one approach. Practice it today. Watch your relationships grow stronger. Which technique feels most natural to try first? - - - - - ♻️ Repost if this resonated with you! 🔖 Follow me Suren Samarchyan for more.

The best communication lesson you'll see today. → Master the art of strategic conversations. 3 ways to do this: 1. Pause before reacting. Ask: "What opportunity can I create from this dialogue?" 2. Replace reactionary language with constructive phrases that invite collaboration. 3. Practice active listening - paraphrase, clarify, and acknowledge emotions. In a world of quick replies, thoughtful communication builds lasting influence. P.S. How do you turn potential conflicts into collaborative opportunities? Example: During a tense negotiation, I saw a leader completely shift the energy by asking "What matters most to you in this partnership?" instead of defending their position.